scholarly journals Longitudinal protection following natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and early vaccine responses: insights from a cohort of community based dental health care professionals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian M. Shields ◽  
Sian E. Faustini ◽  
Caroline A. Kristunas ◽  
Alex M. Cook ◽  
Claire Backhouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Serological Response ◽  
Spike Glycoprotein ◽  
Vaccine Responses ◽  
Essential Question ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractBackgroundThe threshold of protection for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein antibodies and their longevity are not known. Interpretation of serological results in with respect to international reference material can inform this essential question.Methods1,507 West Midlands dental care professionals were recruited into this study in June 2020. Baseline seroprevalence of antibodies directed against the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein was determined and the cohort was followed longitudinally for 6 months until January/February 2021 through the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, and commencement of vaccination.ResultsBaseline seroprevalence was 16.3% in this cohort, compared to estimates in the general population of between 6-7%. Seropositivity was retained in over 70% of participants at 3 and 6-month follow up and conferred a 74% reduced risk of infection. During follow-up, no PCR-proven infections occurred in individuals with a baseline anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG level greater than 147.6 IU/ml with respect to the World Health Organization international standard 20-136. Post-vaccination, antibody responses were more rapid and of higher magnitude in individuals with who were seropositive at baseline.ConclusionNatural infection leads to a serological response that remains detectable in over 70% of individuals 6 months after initial sampling and 9 months from the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. This response is associated with protection from future infection. Even if serological responses wane, a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is associated with an antibody response indicative of immunological memory.FundingThe Association of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine and The Institute for Global Innovation (IGI) of the University of Birmingham.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Seroprevalence and Vaccine Responses in UK Dental Care Professionals

2021 ◽  
pp. 002203452110202
Author(s):  
A.M. Shields ◽  
S.E. Faustini ◽  
C.A. Kristunas ◽  
A.M. Cook ◽  
C. Backhouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dental Care ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serological Response ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
Regional Population ◽  
Health Organization

Dental care professionals (DCPs) are thought to be at enhanced risk of occupational exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, robust data to support this from large-scale seroepidemiological studies are lacking. We report a longitudinal seroprevalence analysis of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, with baseline sampling prior to large-scale practice reopening in July 2020 and follow-up postimplementation of new public health guidance on infection prevention control (IPC) and enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE). In total, 1,507 West Midlands DCPs were recruited into this study in June 2020. Baseline seroprevalence was determined using a combined IgGAM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the cohort followed longitudinally for 6 mo until January/February 2021 through the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the United Kingdom and vaccination commencement. Baseline seroprevalence was 16.3%, compared to estimates in the regional population of 6% to 7%. Seropositivity was retained in over 70% of participants at 3- and 6-mo follow-up and conferred a 75% reduced risk of infection. Nonwhite ethnicity and living in areas of greater deprivation were associated with increased baseline seroprevalence. During follow-up, no polymerase chain reaction–proven infections occurred in individuals with a baseline anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG level greater than 147.6 IU/ml with respect to the World Health Organization international standard 20-136. After vaccination, antibody responses were more rapid and of higher magnitude in those individuals who were seropositive at baseline. Natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 prior to enhanced PPE was significantly higher in DCPs than the regional population. Natural infection leads to a serological response that remains detectable in over 70% of individuals 6 mo after initial sampling and 9 mo from the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. This response is associated with protection from future infection. Even if serological responses wane, a single dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech 162b vaccine is associated with an antibody response indicative of immunological memory.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on General and Dental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 310-314
Author(s):  
Priyanka Jaiswal ◽  
Pankaj Banode ◽  
Diksha Agrawal ◽  
Pavan Bajaj ◽  
Deepika Masurkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Dental Health ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Aged People ◽  
The World ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) is a contagious infection caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). This novel virus was publicly announced as an infectious pathogen by the “Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention” on 8 January 2020. The World Health Organization named COVID-19 a pandemic crisis all over the world on March 11, 2020. Aged people and medically compromised people like patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are the vulnerable populations for developing an illness. A guideline has been postulated and described in the form of a journey map to avoid exposure of dental health care professionals to COVID-19. This review provides a comprehensive outlook for the current pandemic situation, its origin, spread, and preventive measures to be utilized in general and in dental practice.

Unique nCoV-2019 (COVID 19) spike glycoprotein processing by host protease: Analysis and Implication on infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajoy Basak ◽  
Sarmistha Basak
Keyword(s):  
World Health ◽  
Spike Glycoprotein ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Crucial Information ◽  
Glycoprotein Processing ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Host Reservoir

: The current global pandemic outbreak of a novel type of corona virus termed by World Health Organization as COVID-19 became an grave concern and worry to human health and world economy. Intense research efforts are now underway worldwide to combat and prevent the spread of this deadly disease. This zoonotic virus, a native to bat population is most likely transmitted to human via a host reservoir. Due to its close similarity to previously known SARS CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus) of 2002 and related MERS CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus) of 2012, it is also known as SARS CoV2. But unlike them it is far too infectious, virulent and lethal. Among its various proteins, the surface spike glycoprotein “S” has drawn significant attention because of its implication in viral recognition and host-virus fusion process. A detail comparative analysis of “S” proteins of SARS CoV (now called SARS CoV1), SARS CoV2 (COVID-19) and MERS CoV based on structure, sequence alignment, host cleavage sites, receptor binding domains, potential glycosylation and Cys-disulphide bridge locations has been performed. It revealed some key features and variations that may elucidate the high infection and virulence character of COVID-19. Moreover this crucial information may become useful in our quest for COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines.

scholarly journals Programme for Harmonization to the International Scale in Latin America for BCR-ABL1 quantification in CML patients: findings and recommendations

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 2025-2035
Author(s):  
María Sol Ruiz ◽  
María Belén Sánchez ◽  
Yuly Masiel Vera Contreras ◽  
Evangelina Agrielo ◽  
Marta Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
World Health ◽  
Molecular Response ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
International Scale ◽  
Deep Molecular Response ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
First Time

AbstractObjectivesThe quantitation of BCR-ABL1 mRNA is mandatory for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, and RT-qPCR is the most extensively used method in testing laboratories worldwide. Nevertheless, substantial variation in RT-qPCR results makes inter-laboratory comparability hard. To facilitate inter-laboratory comparative assessment, an international scale (IS) for BCR-ABL1 was proposed.MethodsThe laboratory-specific conversion factor (CF) to the IS can be derived from the World Health Organization (WHO) genetic reference panel; however, this material is limited to the manufacturers to produce and calibrate secondary reference reagents. Therefore, we developed secondary reference calibrators, as lyophilized cellular material, aligned to the IS. Our purpose was both to re-evaluate the CF in 18 previously harmonized laboratories and to propagate the IS to new laboratories.ResultsOur field trial including 30 laboratories across Latin America showed that, after correction of raw BCR-ABL1/ABL1 ratios using CF, the relative mean bias was significantly reduced. We also performed a follow-up of participating laboratories by annually revalidating the process; our results support the need for continuous revalidation of CFs. All participating laboratories also received a calibrator to determine the limit of quantification (LOQ); 90% of them could reproducibly detect BCR-ABL1, indicating that these laboratories can report a consistent deep molecular response. In addition, aiming to investigate the variability of BCR-ABL1 measurements across different RNA inputs, we calculated PCR efficiency for each individual assay by using different amounts of RNA.ConclusionsIn conclusion, for the first time in Latin America, we have successfully organized a harmonization platform for BCR-ABL1 measurement that could be of immediate clinical benefit for monitoring the molecular response of patients in low-resource regions.

scholarly journals Trials and Tribulations: mHealth Clinical Trials in the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen Indraratna ◽  
Uzzal Biswas ◽  
Jennifer Yu ◽  
Guenter Schreier ◽  
Sze-Yuan Ooi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decompensated Heart Failure ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Randomised Control Trial ◽  
Contact Method ◽  
Model Of Care ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Health Organization

Introduction: Mobile phone-based interventions in cardiovascular disease are growing in popularity. A randomised control trial (RCT) for a novel smartphone app-based model of care, named TeleClinical Care - Cardiac (TCC-Cardiac), commenced in February 2019, targeted at patients being discharged after care for an acute coronary syndrome or episode of decompensated heart failure. The app was paired to a digital sphygmomanometer, weighing scale and a wearable fitness band, all loaned to the patient, and allowed clinicians to respond to abnormal readings. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated several modifications to the trial in order to protect participants from potential exposure to infection. The use of TCC-Cardiac during the pandemic inspired the development of a similar model of care (TCC-COVID), targeted at patients being managed at home with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: Recruitment for the TCC-Cardiac trial was terminated shortly after the World Health Organization announced COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Telephone follow-up was commenced, in order to protect patients from unnecessary exposure to hospital staff and patients. Equipment was returned or collected by a ‘no-contact’ method. The TCC-COVID app and model of care had similar functionality to the original TCC-Cardiac app. Participants were enrolled exclusively by remote methods. Oxygen saturation and pulse rate were measured by a pulse oximeter, and symptomatology measured by questionnaire. Measurement results were manually entered into the app and transmitted to an online server for medical staff to review. Results: A total of 164 patients were involved in the TCC-Cardiac trial, with 102 patients involved after the onset of the pandemic. There were no hospitalisations due to COVID-19 in this cohort. The study was successfully completed, with only three participants lost to follow-up. During the pandemic, 5 of 49 (10%) of patients in the intervention arm were readmitted compared to 12 of 53 (23%) in the control arm. Also, in this period, 28 of 29 (97%) of all clinically significant alerts received by the monitoring team were managed successfully in the outpatient setting, avoiding hospitalisation. Patients found the user experience largely positive, with the average rating for the app being 4.56 out of 5. 26 patients have currently been enrolled for TCC-COVID. Recruitment is ongoing. All patients have been safely and effectively monitored, with no major adverse clinical events or technical malfunctions. Patient satisfaction has been high. Conclusion: The TCC-Cardiac RCT was successfully completed despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. Use of the app had an added benefit during the pandemic as participants could be monitored safely from home. The model of care inspired the development of an app with similar functionality designed for use with patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Association Between Racism and Suicidality Among Young Minority Groups: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 104365962110469
Author(s):  
Giorgia Rudes ◽  
Claudia Fantuzzi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
World Health ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Dominant Culture ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: The World Health Organization states that suicide is the second leading cause of death among youngs, and racism has been proven to have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. These two plagues represent a public health priority, especially for susceptible minorities. Method: This systematic review analyzed 23 studies from multiple database searches, to understand the relationship between racism and suicidality in young minority groups. Results: The review demonstrated the correlation between racism and suicidality with the consequent development of mental disorders. There is strong evidence that the main suicide risk factor is acculturation, interpreted as the assimilation of the dominant culture with the loss of values from one’s cultural background. Discussion: Health care professionals should not underestimate the risk of suicidality associated with racism. Prevention is crucial and it should be implemented from a young age, in schools, through a joint intervention with children and their families, aiming toward integration without acculturation.

Orthokeratinized Odontogenic Cyst: A Clinicopathologic Study of 61 Cases

2010 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Dong ◽  
Shuang Pan ◽  
Li-Sha Sun ◽  
Tie-Jun Li
Keyword(s):  
Odontogenic Cyst ◽  
World Health ◽  
Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor ◽  
Impacted Tooth ◽  
Ki 67 ◽  
Orthokeratinized Odontogenic Cyst ◽  
Clinicopathologic Study ◽  
Mandibular Molar ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Context.—Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC) is a relatively uncommon developmental cyst comprising about 10% of cases that had been previously coded as odontogenic keratocysts. Odontogenic keratocyst was designated as keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) in the new World Health Organization classification and OOC should be distinguished from KCOT for differences in histologic features and biologic behavior. Objective.—To analyze the clinicopathologic features of 61 cases of OOC in a Chinese population. Design.—Clinicopathologic analysis was performed on 61 cases of OOC. Immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and p63 was evaluated in 15 OOCs and 15 typical KCOTs. Results.—The 61 patients with OOC ranged from 13 to 75 years (average, 38.93 years). The lesions developed mainly in the third and fourth decades (57.38%) with a distinct predilection for males (72.13%). Six (9.84%) lesions were found in the maxilla and 55 (90.16%) in the mandible. The most common sites were in the mandibular molar and ramus region. Of the 54 cases with radiographic record, 47 (87.04%) were unilocular and 7 (12.96%) were multilocular radiolucencies. Twenty-seven of the 54 cysts were associated with an impacted tooth. Follow-up of 42 patients revealed no recurrence during an average period of 76.8 months after surgery. Compared with KCOTs, expression level of Ki-67 and p63 was significantly lower in OOCs, suggesting a lower proliferative activity. Conclusion.—Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst is clinicopathologically distinct from KCOT and should constitute its own clinical entity.

Reasons for Vaccine Rejection in 0 to 2 Years Old Children Registered to Family Health Centers in Konya

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 074-079
Author(s):  
Hasan Kucukkendirci ◽  
Fatih Kara ◽  
Gulsum Gulperi Turgut
Keyword(s):  
Health Personnel ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccination Programs ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractObjective According to the 2017 report of the World Health Organization (WHO), ∼1.5 million people die from vaccine preventable diseases. The WHO is working to generate and popularize effective vaccination programs. However, the concept of “vaccine rejection,” which first started in Europe and United States, has started to make an impact in Turkey during the past 10 years. It is therefore seen as a growing danger in future. This study was conducted to determine, detect, and prevent the reasons of vaccine rejection that have increased in recent years.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December at 2015. In all districts of Konya (n = 31), it was aimed to reach all 242 families who rejected vaccination to their 0 to 2 years old babies. Families having more than one child refused to vaccinate all of their children. A questionnaire consisting of 47 questions was prepared by the researchers, using the standard trainings of the Ministry of Health and the literature. A total of 172 families agreed to participate in this study. The questionnaire was applied to the parents using the telephone interview technique. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation and percentage.Results About 41.3% (n = 71) of the mothers were high school graduates, 50.6% (n = 87) of their fathers were university graduates. About 82.6% (n = 142) of the participants received examination, treatment and follow-up services from family physicians and family health personnel. About 20.9% (n = 36) of the children were the only children of the family. About 55.8% (n = 96) of the families also refused the vaccination for other children. About 83.7% (n = 144) of the unvaccinated children had infants/children follow-up care. While all participants stated that vaccines had side effects, 31.4% (n = 54) of these believed that vaccines cause autism or paralysis in infants. About 62.2% (n = 107) of their mothers did not receive tetanus vaccine during pregnancy. The highest rate of nonvaccination was with the second dose of hepatitis A vaccine, which 96.5% (n = 166) refused. The most accepted vaccine was the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine, which was refused by 18.0% (n = 31). About 79.7% (n = 137) of the participants did not know the reason for the vaccination and 95.9% (n = 165) thought that the vaccines were not required. All participants received information from the health personnel about the vaccines. While 9.9% (n = 17) of the families thought that vaccines cause infertility, 44.8% (n = 77) did not receive vaccination because the vaccines were produced abroad.Conclusion A growing number of families refuse to have their babies vaccinated. The production of vaccines abroad is a major cause of insecurity. There are also beliefs that vaccines cause infertility. Vaccine production in Turkey should be accelerated and public education about vaccines should be reviewed. Training provided to families about vaccines should also be reviewed.

scholarly journals Testing brief intervention and phone contact among subjects with suicidal behavior: a randomized controlled trial in French Polynesia in the frames of the World Health Organization/Suicide Trends in At-Risk Territories study

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Amadéo ◽  
Moerani Rereao ◽  
Aurelia Malogne ◽  
Patrick Favro ◽  
Ngoc Lam Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Brief Intervention ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
World Health ◽  
Suicidal Behaviors ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization <em>Suicide trends in at-risk territories</em> study is a multi-site regional research program operating first in French Polynesia and countries of the Western Pacific, then extended to the world. The aims of the study were to establish a monitoring system for suicidal behaviors and to conduct a randomised control trial intervention for non-fatal suicidal behaviors. The latter part is the purpose of the present article. Over the period 2008-2010, 515 patients were admitted at the Emergency Department of the Centre Hospitalier de Polynésie Française for suicidal behavior. Those then hospitalized in the Psychiatry Emergency Unit were asked to be involved in the study and randomly allocated to either Treatment As Usual (TAU) or TAU plus Brief Intervention and Contact (BIC), which provides a psycho-education session and a follow-up of 9 phone contacts over an 18-months period. One hundred persons were assigned to TAU, while 100 participants were allocated to the BIC group. At the end of the follow-up there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of number of presentations to the hospital for repeated suicidal behaviors. Although the study could not demonstrate the superiority of a treatment over the other, nevertheless – given its importance – the investigation captured public attention and was able to contribute to the awareness of the need of suicide prevention in French Polynesia. The BIC model of intervention seemed to particularly suit the geographical and health care context of the country.

scholarly journals RESEARCH ON SELF MEDICATION: A HYPE OR A HOPE? A LITERATURE REVIEW.

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Mythri Halappa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Recent Trend ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractMedications are one of the most important tools in public health practice. Since the 1980s, self‑medication is of prime public health importance as World Health Organization, in order to reduce the burden on health care professionals changed some prescription drugs to be sold over the counter. Each drug has its own advantages & disadvantages. Hence, always they have to be taken with caution. Considering this a recent trend has increased in surveying the prevalence of self medication. Hence, this review critically evaluated the studies to put a light on basic concept of self medication.Key words: Self medication, Drug abuse, Self care, Substance abuse, Antibiotic usage. 

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